One Book – A Lifetime in the Making.

The work never took off, but it got me intrigued with the idea that, in my hand was a writing tool that permitted my rampant and often bent imagination an outlet. The world had no idea what kind of genie had just popped out of the bottle.

Well, the HB pencil has morphed into a MacBook Air, a Microsoft Surface that I dropped too many times to function normally anymore, and shit-piles of sticky notes and Goody’s former reporter’s notepads. But the diabolical mind – well – I doubt there’s really been much improvement.

What has improved is my writing (some might debate this – they obviously haven’t read my earlier work). Like my guitar playing and singing, I chose to give in to my passions, give up the corporate life and pursue my life’s purpose… that so far has amounted to living on Mac n’ Cheese and hardened spruce-gum sap (Goody can attest to this, although she just thinks I’m a sap). Seriously, when one chooses to say f**k it, amazing things can happen, but not without a lot of humiliation, humbling – and listening.

One of the most important people in my life once read my earlier manuscripts and proclaimed, “well, there’s always car sales….”

After a few years in car sales, and after a LOT of frustration having to write in dribs and drabs between 50-hour work weeks, diaper-changing, a failed marriage and life in general, I had to make a decision. I was in a state of flux…and then I stepped forward. It was through amazing people and most certainly through my daughter and new wife, that I learned to develop and hone the things that resonated inside of me. I also learned that I had a voice; and intention, principles and value count for something. My karate sensei opened me up to a lot of this, an amazing man who taught me far more than ‘kick, bloc and punch.’ I was prepared to be told my work is shit – that I suck – and listen to the chorus of criticisms, cautions and advice. However, I chose to also acknowledge within that I don’t suck, and that my opinion of myself and what I was to do with my life mattered a great deal.

I am a musician. I am a writer. More importantly, I am an author and and artist living by my own rules. Sure, I’m broke, and I am constantly mulling and second-guessing myself, but I am about to publish the first novel in a trilogy, and I can also say that I am proud of it. Am I any good? Is it? I’ll let the public determine their view, but I am proud of the lifelong journey that culminated with this moment.

Today, I turned off the ‘Under Construction’ app on WORDPRESS and launched my new website. ibooks, Kobo and Nook all went live this morning. The previews had glitches and typos that top editors scrutinized but missed and that I let slip through have been caught now for the most part, and the pre-order process is excruciating but beyond exciting as the release date approaches.

I hope you will journey with me, stay along for the long climb to the summit, and possibly several false ones, because the journey is all about the hiking, the tripping and falling…

– and getting back up.

Happy Trails

(PS – If you would like a free preview of the first 15% of the book, click here)

Simon Lindley is a former publisher and Luddite of old-world printing, and has been banging out ideas since the days of correction tape and typewriters (hey, it wasn’t that long ago). He lives in the Canadian Rockies with his wife and two dogs, and spends most of his time daydreaming, chopping wood, hiking in the alpine and hammering on the keyboard, usually with a little too much fervor. He is currently working on Book Two of the Key of Life Trilogy and a new Urban Fantasy Series entitled, Gaia’s Assassin.
You can follow Simon on twitter: @Simon_Lindley, or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSimonLindley

OMG Simon,
You Actually Did it! I am so proud of you and impressed all to hell!
When you said you were writing a book, (the first time we met), I envisioned a “how-to” or “Cooking for Float-Home Owners” type book.
Now, I can’t wait to read it.
(Did I ever tell you that I was a founding member of S.F.A.V.?
the Science Fiction Association of Victoria. I was 18…)
Congrats. to you and hugs to goody!

I had no idea! That’s amazing. I am so excited that you’ll read it. I expect honest feedback (and a review!). I sure hope you’ll consider sharing and pre-ordering the ebook from this site (see link on front page). It will help me considerably in boosting my chances of making the bestsellers list on release day. Goody just got her hug, and said, “he’s a good hugger!”
Miss you. We MUST jam together again!

Wonderful P’nina! Thank you so much for the positive feedback. Well, it’s in the overall genre, but I promise that the remaining 85% is a straight epic/contemporary fantasy hybrid, no sci-fi ;-). I hope it compelled you enough to pre-order the book!